Butterfly Pea Flower
Chase away the blues with this magical colour-changing tea and its stress-relieving antioxidant properties
The flowers of the butterfly pea plant are quite a sight to behold. Vibrant blue or violet-hued, the little blossoms have a bright yellow slash at their centres and delicate petals that resemble the shape of female genitalia, hence its botanic name Clitoria Ternatea:
- Native to South-east Asia where the warm climate favours its growth, the bright blue petals from the flowers of the butterfly pea plant have traditionally been used as an ingredient in herbal teas as well as in cooking. The indigo flower imparts its beautiful blue colour when steeped in warm or hot water, making it a natural dye for various dishes and drinks.
- As a natural litmus that changes colour when it comes in contact with acid, the eye-catching blue shade of butterfly pea flower extract and its mesmerising colour-changing properties have made it increasingly popular across the world. Last year, coffee giant Starbucks launched a limited-edition Butterfly Pea Lemonade Cold Brew that made its rounds on social media for its dreamy colour-shifting hues.
Culinary Uses Of Butterfly Pea Flower:
- In South-east Asia, butterfly pea flowers have long been used as a natural food colouring for food and drinks in Thai, Malay and Peranakan cuisines. The petals have practically no scent or flavour, making it the perfect food colouring agent for any dish or drink without changing its flavour. As a tea, it has a mild woody, earthy taste, not unlike green tea.
- The flower is known as dok anchan in Thailand, where it is shredded into fine ribbons and added to rice salad, or its blue liquid extracted and steamed with jasmine rice. Many Thai resorts also greet guests with a welcome drink made from dok anchan and lemongrass. Traditional Thai snacks like steamed chaw muang dumplings and pale purple khanom chan cakes are coloured with butterfly pea flower extract.
- In Malaysia and Singapore, it is known in the Malay language as bunga telang. It is used in Malay dishes such as nasi kerabu, pulut inti, kuih tekan and pulut tai tai, where rice is naturally dyed blue.
- The extract of butterfly pea flower is also widely used in Peranakan cuisine and gives dishes like savoury Nyonya zhang (rice dumplings) and kueh salat their signature blue tinge. The use of blue colouring in Peranakan cooking isn’t purely decorative though. Blue is the colour of mourning and used to mark certain kuehs for occasions such as funerals. Nine-layered rainbow kueh lapis when coloured with alternate layers of white and blue is reserved for funerals. Similarly, when served at funerals, the glutinous rice layer of kueh salat is fully coloured blue rather than just speckled with the colour.
Nutritional Benefits And Medicinal Uses:
- Used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, butterfly pea flower tea has been consumed for centuries as a brain booster, antidepresant and calmative agent. When steeped as a tea, butterfly pea flower makes for a calming caffeine-free herbal tisane that has similar antioxidant properties as green tea.
- The blue flower is rich in anthocyanin, a potent antioxidant that is also what gives it its fascinating colour-changing properties. The antioxidants in butterfly pea can rejuvenate the skin by stimulating collagen synthesis and lessen the signs of ageing. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of butterfly pea flower extract can also help alleviate pain and reduce fevers.
The Health Benefits of Butterfly Pea Flowers
In the lush, tropical equatorial regions of Southeast Asia, the Butterfly Pea plant—a flowering vine known for its vibrant blooms—has long been cultivated and revered. The flowers have a striking sapphire color, and the petals are flecked with streaks of yellow and white. In nations like Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia, Butterfly Pea Flowers are used primarily as a form of natural food coloring. When steeped or cooked in hot water, the flowers will turn the liquid a striking shade of violet or blue.
Depending on the other ingredients that are mixed in-—such as a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice—Butterfly Pea Flowers can also yield a gorgeous pink or purple liquid. This liquid can then be used to add color to rice, known as nasi kerabu in Malaysia, or to create beautiful jewel-toned beverages. One such drink is nam dok anchan, a refreshing tea that’s popular in Thailand and Vietnam. This soothing tea is often sipped after dinner or before bedtime, much like chamomile tea in other regions of the world. Of course, Butterfly Pea Flowers aren’t just known for their mesmerizing colors; they’re also highly regarded around the globe for their beautifying properties and wellness benefits*.
Health Benefits of Butterfly Pea Flowers:
- The use of Butterfly Pea for its healing benefits dates back hundreds of years with origins in Ayurvedic medicine. Throughout history, traditional healers in Southeast Asia and China would use the plant to help with occasional stress and insomnia*.
- Butterfly Pea Flowers contain potent antioxidants, which are known to protect against the damaging effects of free radicals.* Antioxidants also help to slow down the aging process and protect against premature aging.* They can boost the appearance and health of your skin, hair, and nails.*
- Butterfly Pea Flowers are also rich in anthocyanins, which further help to build and restore the skin’s collagen.* Anthocyanins are water-soluble compounds that occur naturally in certain pigmented blue, red, purple, and black foods and flowers.
- Finally, Butterfly Pea Flowers may possess significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties*.
Blue Tea is the in-thing now
Cup butterfly pea flower tea with honey table
Butterfly pea flower tea, or ‘blue tea’, is the current craze as a health drink, simply because of its uniqueness. Soha Ali Khan recently shared a picture of her cup of tea on Instagram stories and we were amazed at the unusual colour — a vibrant blue! Soha isn’t the only celebrity drinking ‘blue tea’. The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star Kylie Jenner also highlighted the relaxing drink on Instagram. “Look how cool this drink is — butterfly pea tea,” Jenner said as she focused the camera on a cup filled with blue liquid. “No food colouring.” Kylie then picked up a slice of lemon, saying, “Watch, it changes colour when you put lemon in it.” Blue tea is a caffeine-free herbal concoction made from blue butterfly pea flowers. It is made by steeping dried or fresh leaves of the Clitoria ternatea plant in hot or cold water. Tea bags have to be dipped in hot water. It can be enjoyed with or without added honey.
“Herbal teas have been attracting a lot of attention as a healthy alternative to caffeinated drinks like tea and coffee. Of late, blue tea has been trending on social media due to its attractive colour and health benefits,” says Dr Aparna Govil Bhasker, Laparoscopic and Bariatric surgeon. The trendy butterfly pea tea: According to the Journal of Pharmacological Reports, butterfly pea flower is a common ingredient in rice-based recipes, such as nasi kerabu in Malaysia and rice cakes in Singapore. Recently, the flower made its way into the cocktail world, where it’s used to make blue gin, before landing under the TikTok spotlight as a trendy tea. Used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, butterfly pea flower tea has been consumed for centuries as a brain booster, anti-depressant and calming agent. “It is very popular in South East Asian countries and is usually consumed post dinner with freshly squeezed lemon, which interestingly changes the colour of this beverage to purple,” says Dr. Aparna, adding, “It has antioxidant properties similar to green tea.”
Health benefits:
- Blue tea is a rich source of powerful antioxidants — catechins and flavonoids. “It protects the body from environmental toxins and is useful for maintaining hair and skin health. Blue tea also helps to promote collagen production, which slows skin ageing by maintaining elasticity,” says Dr Aparna.
- It contains anthocyanin, which helps to increase blood circulation in the head, thereby strengthening the scalp and hair follicles. Its soothing flavor and aroma make this beverage a great stress buster.
- “There are no known side effects of blue tea, but it is best to restrict consumption to 2-3 cups a day. Excessive consumption can lead to dehydration due to its diuretic effect,” cautions Dr Aparna. Pregnant and lactating women and those with a history of chronic diseases should consult their dietician/ doctor before consuming it, she adds.
8 Health Benefits of Blue Clitoria Ternatea
Blue clitoria ternatea, also called butterfly pea flower, has several health benefits for your brain, skin, hair, and more:
- Boosts brain health - Several studies on rats and other animals have indicated that regular administration of blue butterfly pea extracts boosts the levels of a chemical called acetylcholine in their brain. Acetylcholine is essential for good brain health. High acetylcholine levels in the brain are known to decrease age-associated memory loss and improve memory. Consumption of blue butterfly pea can improve thinking abilities and boost overall brain health.
- Fights against cancers - Butterfly pea plants contain substances that have anticancer properties. Consuming blue butterfly pea tea may have some role in fighting cancers. It enters the cancer cells and inhibits their growth.
- Anti-inflammatory properties - Consumption of blue butterfly pea tea can reduce swelling in the body. It can reduce body pain, migraine, and swelling due to wounds and headaches.
- Lowers blood pressure - Consumption of butterfly pea flower tea can help reduce blood pressure. Individuals with elevated blood pressure (hypertension) could consume this.
- Improves skin health - Blue butterfly pea is rich in antioxidants. It can slow down the skin aging process, prevent premature aging, and improve overall skin tone and texture.
- Improves hair health - Butterfly pea nourishes hair follicles, promotes hair growth, reduces hair fall, and slows down the greying of hair. Butterfly pea is also used as an ingredient in many hair shampoos, conditioners, and other hair products.
- Helps in digestion - The antioxidants in blue butterfly pea tea can help relax the stomach muscles, aiding digestion. It also has anthelminthic property; it helps prevent the growth of worms in the gut.
- Helps regulate blood sugar levels -Butterfly pea flower tea can help regulate the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, thus regulating blood sugar levels. The tea can be beneficial to diabetic patients if taken along with the medications.
What Is Butterfly Pea Flower, and Does It Aid Weight Loss?
This article will take an in-depth look at some of the key benefits and side effects of butterfly pea flower, along with some ideas for how to use it. Also known by its scientific name, Clitoria ternatea, the butterfly pea is a plant native to Asia. You may recognize it by its striking, vibrant blue flowers. It is also rich in anthocyanins, which are the antioxidant compounds responsible for its unique color. For this reason, manufactures may use butterfly pea flower in cosmetics or as a natural dye for foods, drinks, and textiles. The flowers are also commonly brewed into an herbal tea, often alongside ingredients like lemongrass, honey, and lemon. When the acidity of the pea flower tea changes, the color changes as well. This quality makes butterfly pea flower a popular ingredient among mixologists for specialty cocktails.
Additionally, it’s known for its medicinal properties and has been associated with a variety of potential health benefits:
- Supports skin and hair health - Cosmetic manufacturers boast about butterfly pea flowers’ effectiveness in everything from skin care serums to hair mists and shampoos.
- May promote weight loss - Some studies even suggest that butterfly pea flower may aid in weight loss efforts.
- Stabilizes blood sugar levels - Studies indicate that butterfly pea flower may reduce your risk of diabetes and related symptoms.
What is Blue tea and how it helps in losing weight
Blue tea, or butterfly pea flower tea, is a caffeine-free herbal drink that is made by seeping dried or fresh leaves of the Clitoria ternatea plant. The tea was first introduced in the South East Asian countries and the deep blue colour of the flower has been traditionally used to make dye in many countries. Interestingly, the tea is served in Thailand and Vietnam post-dinner, usually with lemon and honey added to it.
According to experts, it is a healthy drink that has many benefits and adding lemon juice to the tea changes the pH of the drink, making it change colour from deep blue to purple. These days, the dry petals of the flower are used in cocktails and plating dishes as well. A recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders has stated that blue tea can prevent as well as help fight all obesity issues and fatty liver diseases.
Here’s a glimpse of how the refreshing tea can help you lose the extra kilos and provide other health benefits as well:
- Amino acid and metabolism - Regular consumption of blue tea stimulates the body to burn calories and also boosts the metabolism. It contains Theanine, an amino acid that helps counter the nervous effects of caffeine.
- Helps burn calories - According to health experts; drinking blue tea twice a day allows you to burn more calories naturally. It increases hepatic metabolism by reducing cholesterol. It improves fatty liver that generally causes weight gain, especially around the middle section. It has been proved that blue tea helps remove the visceral fat effectively.
- Rich in antioxidants - It is believed that blue tea is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help in detoxifying the body. This detoxification process plays a key role in losing unwanted fats.
- Mood enhancer - For those, who suffer from mood swings often, it is suggested to drink butterfly-pea flower tea, as it is said to have stress-busting effects that also reduce stress and anxiety.
- Good for skin - According to skin experts, blue tea is said to be good for fighting skin ageing. It has anti-glycation effects and flavonoids that stimulate collagen production.
Blue tea can help you look young, stay healthy and fight depression
Antioxidants in the tea help lower risk of infection, which diabetics are prone to, and it is also great for your heart health
Look beyond green tea and matcha tea. Butterfly pea flower tea or blue tea is rich in antioxidants, great for heart health, and keeps your skin glowing. Here’s what you need to know about it.
While a lot is known about green tea and black tea, there are not many who know about the benefits of blue tea. This variant is tasty and has plenty of health benefits as well. Kausshal Dugarr, founder and CEO of Teabox.com, and Tea expert Rishav Kanoi, founder of The Tea Trove, list some health benefits of blue tea:
- Antioxidant properties - One of the benefits of drinking blue tea is that it has a lot of antioxidants. These powerful bio-compounds help the body fight free radicals which are toxic and cause premature ageing. It is a good idea to detox the body once in a while with an antioxidant-rich drink like blue pea tea.
- Anti-diabetic properties - A cup of blue butterfly tea taken in between meals will inhibit the intake of glucose from the diet and lower blood sugar. Antioxidants in the tea also help the body lower risk of infections, which diabetics are prone to, and it is also great for your heart health.
- For hair, skin: The antioxidants in a cup of blue tea are great for hair and skin. This tea also has many vitamins and minerals which keep your skin and hair looking great, as it keeps them from ageing prematurely.
- Energises and boosts brain activity - Blue pea is proven to be nootropic. It refreshes the brain and boosts its activity and function. This will keep you energised and feeling great.
- Treats anxiety and depression - According to studies, blue tea can relieve stress and lower symptoms of anxiety disorder.
- Magnifies beauty - Blue pea flower has anti-glycation properties, which is excellent for the skin and helps prevent skin ageing. Furthermore, blue tea has some flavonoids which increase collagen origination, accelerating skin elasticity. It is also good for your hair as it contains anthocyanin, which increases blood flow in the scalp, strengthening hair follicles.
- Lowers the risk of cancer - Blue pea flowers are a rich source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are known to minimise the damage to the cells of the body. The lesser the damage to cells, the lesser the risk of all types of cancer.
- Treats diabetes - According to a study, clitoria ternatea leaf is found to lower diabetes in rats. It obstructs glucose intake from food and is beneficial for curing type II diabetes.
Blue tea is the new weight loss drink you need to upgrade to right now
If you're done marvelling at the colour, this is what you need to know about blue tea
Drinking tea for weight loss has been a common diet trend in the year that has almost come to an end -- and even before it. From Instagram influencers promoting their brand of choice to believers of natural living swearing by it, there seems to be nothing that tea can't accomplish when it comes to helping you with your dilemma of how to lose weight and burn belly fat fast. And there are more varieties of it than you can count on one hand. There's black tea, which improves your body's ability to process energy by acting on the bacteria in your gut; white tea, a refreshing zero-calorie drink with great antioxidant properties; green tea, which gives your metabolism a boost and thus makes you lose weight faster, particularly when had with ginger. You may even have heard of fennel tea. But have you ever heard of blue tea and the health benefits it has to offer?
What is blue tea? Blue tea for weight loss is the latest tea trend that's picking up fast, especially in Bangalore. But if you don't know what it is or have never even heard of it, we got a tea connoisseur Kausshal Duggar, Founder and CEO of Teabox.com, to break down the advantages of drinking blue tea for you. This unique, vibrantly coloured tea will surely pique the curiosity of all who gaze upon it. Duggar sheds light on the process of making blue tea. Also known as butterfly pea tea, is made from butterfly pea-flower, a plant from the pea family. Its origins can be traced to tropical Asia. However, through the centuries, the flower was widely distributed in the West and East Indies, Central and South America, India and China. "Butterfly-pea flower tea is a fridge dried whole flower which is a caffeine-free herbal tea, or tisane, a beverage made from a decoction or infusion of the leaves of the Clitoria ternatea plant," elaborates Duggar.
10 health benefits of drinking this natural detox drink:
- Antioxidant properties - One of the major benefits of consuming blue tea or butterfly pea tea is its antioxidant properties.
- Anti-diabetic properties - This tea is amazing for diabetic patients as it helps regulate blood sugar levels.
- Reduces stress and anxiety - Butterfly pea has been used for reducing stress and anxiety from ancient times.
- Beneficial for hair and skin - Any ingredient that is rich in antioxidants is amazing for hair and skin.
- Anti-cancer and anti-tumour properties - Clitoria Ternatea's cyclotides can kill cancer inducing cells by disrupting cell membrane integrity.
- Anti-microbial properties - In several Indian studies, butterfly pea exhibited significant anti-microbial effects against Staphylococcus Aureus, which can cause a range of illnesses from minor skin infections like pimples and scalded skin syndrome to life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis and even toxic shock syndrome.
- Anti-inflammatory properties - The deep indigo flowers of butterfly pea contain flavonoids. Found in almost all fruits and vegetables, flavonoids are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties as well as immune system-boosting benefits.
- Improves eyesight - Clitoria Ternatea contains an antioxidant called proanthocyanidin, which increases blood flow to the capillaries of the eyes, useful in the treatment of glaucoma, blurred vision, retinal damage or tired eyes.
- Helps bring down fever - When given in doses of 200, 300 and 400 milligrams per kilogram, studies have shown butterfly pea extract to have led to a significant reduction in body temperature, lasting for five hours after administration.
- Detoxifies the body - The body and its internal organs need to be cleansed, and this is why it is important to have a cup of butterfly pea flower tea every day.
All You Need To Know About This Herbal Tea That May Help In Weight Loss
Blue Tea is made by seeping dried butterfly-pea flowers in water and can be enjoyed both hot and cold. It is also said to have weight loss benefits
Herbal teas have a lot of takers nowadays, as more and more people come to know about the potential side effects of caffeinated drinks like regular tea and coffee. A number of herbal teas have made their mark on tea lovers across the world, including those made from flowers like chamomile and blue pea. While chamomile is very well-known for its mild and soothing flavour that acts as a stress buster, tea made from blue pea flowers is not that well known. Dried blue pea flowers yield a brew that is stunning in colour and that can be enjoyed cold or hot. Blue tea, made from blue pea flowers, also has a number of health benefits. Some people even use blue tea for weight loss, other than its antioxidant properties and its ability to fight stress.
Blue tea, or butterfly pea flower tea, is a caffeine-free herbal concoction, made by seeping dried or fresh leaves of the Clitoria ternatea plant. The best thing about the blue tea is that it is absolutely caffeine-free, and it is packed with antioxidants. Blue tea has been around in the market for ages. Thanks to popularisation through travel blogs and shows, the blue tea leaves are now becoming more easily and widely available for consumption in stores and supermarkets.They are regularly being purchased for purchase by tea connoisseurs around the world for their various health benefits and uses. Blue tea was available in the market earlier too as Oolong or Black dragon tea, but it has only gained popularity very recently.
Weight Loss And Other Benefits Of Blue Tea:
- Blue tea contains catechins, which are said to be instrumental in burning belly fat and aiding weight loss.
- The tea is rich in antioxidants, which makes it a great beverage to include in your detox diet.
- The earthy flavour of butterfly-pea flower tea is said to be a mood enhancer.
- Blue tea is said to help in losing water weight as it is a natural diuretic drink.
- Blue tea is also said to have a role in regulating blood sugar levels, although there is not much scientific evidence to suggest that it is helpful in managing diabetes.
- The benefits of having blue tea are not limited to internal benefits alone, although those are definitely advantageous. Blue tea has a number of merits for the skin, hair and overall beauty too.
- The tea is well-known for its anti-ageing benefits, due to its high antioxidant content.
- Blue tea is said to be great for the skin, due to its claimed anti-glycation effects, which fight skin ageing.
- Stress-relieving properties of blue tea are also helpful in overall maintainenace of skin and beauty.
- The flavonoids present in blue tea may also stimulate collagen production, helping develop and maintain skin elasticity.
- Blue pea flower is excellent for the hair too, as it contains anthocyanin - a compound known to increase blood circulation in the head and therefore maintain a healthy scalp.
Are Blue Pea Flowers really toxic?
Blue pea flower are also known as Butterfly Pea Flowers, asian pigeon wings while in Malaysia we called it Bunga Telang.
According to Dr Mercola’s article, blue pea flowers are supposed to have some beneficial properties in the plants but today 17th April 2019, I received a message sent by my friends claiming a man was taking those for almost 2 years and now developed severe headache. When he saw “Dr Frances” at Nam Wah Ee hospital, Penang, the doctor told him that the green sepal and the stigma of the blue pea flowers are toxic which can cause harm to the body when consumed. There is no scientific test done yet to confirm that the flowers are toxic but it did put me off taking them now. What a shame!
I was a coffee and tea lover. But ever since i started getting severe palpitation (sometimes heart beat going up to 116-118) I decided to stop completely and switched to blue pea flower tea instead. Every morning, I would plucked the fresh blue pea flowers from my garden for my morning drinks. Ever since I heard that Blue Pea Flower may be toxic, I changed my mind and make do only with lemon drink in the morning. Three days later, 20th April,2019, there were news in Kwong Wah Yit Poh & Penang Sin Poe newspaper, that there is no risk of poison in blue pea flowers and has been confirmed after a scientific test was done on cells and animals. The test also shows that, blue pea flowers do have Anti cancer properties.
Clitoria ternatea
The delicate petals that resemble the shape of female genitalia, hence its botanic name Clitoria Ternatea from "Clitoris"
In India, it is revered as a holy flower, used in daily puja rituals. The flowers of this vine were imagined to have the shape of human female genitals, hence the Latin name of the genus "Clitoria", from "clitoris". The species name is thought to derive from the city of Ternate in the Indonesian archipelago, from where Linnaeus's specimens originated. This plant is native to equatorial Asia, including locations in South Asia and Southeast Asia but has also been introduced to Africa, Australia and the Americas.
It is a perennial herbaceous plant, with elliptic, obtuse leaves. It grows as a vine or creeper, doing well in moist, neutral soil. Its most striking feature is the color of its flowers, a vivid deep blue; solitary, with light yellow markings. They are about 4 cm (1+1⁄2 in) long by 3 cm (1+1⁄4 in) wide. Some varieties yield white flowers. The fruits are 5–7 cm (2–2+3⁄4 in) long, flat pods with six to ten seeds in each pod. They are edible when tender. It is grown as an ornamental plant and as a revegetation species (eg, in coal mines in Australia), requiring little care when cultivated. As a legume, its roots form a symbiotic association with soil bacteria known as rhizobia, which transform atmospheric N2 into a plant-usable form (a process called nitrogen fixing), therefore, this plant is also used to improve soil quality through the decomposition of nitrogen rich plant material.
Two neighbours sow the seeds of cultural preservation with the blue pea flower
The blue pea flower is known for its culinary uses and healing properties. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Ms Janna was quick to notice that Ms Carlyn Law, 47, an artist, grew a lot of the blue pea plant in the communal garden, which sparked conversations on gardening and culinary tips involving the blue flower. The Blue Pea Wonder Workshop, which they will host on May 21 as part of the Singapore Heritage Fest, is a multi-faceted 2½-hour event targeted at nature, art and culinary enthusiasts. Participants can try their hand at cooking and working with the blue pea flower, while exploring its many uses and health benefits. "We hope to empower people to use the blue pea by sharing tips on how they can go back to their roots of making and growing their own food," said Ms Janna.
The blue pea flower is native to Asia and is known for its culinary uses and healing properties such as its anti-ageing effects, said Ms Law as she held up her daily cup of home-grown blue pea tea. Commonly used as food colouring because of its antioxidant compounds (anthocyanins) that give the flower its unique hue, this ingredient also comes in powdered form or as an essence available in stores.
In explaining the gradual popularisation of the floral ingredient in menus across Singapore, Ms Janna points out how it is because we see Singapore's food through the lens of social media now, which best captures the blue pea's appeal as an aesthetically pleasing ingredient. "This humble, local ingredient that is part of our natural heritage is so easy to grow, so why not try it out?"
11 Edible Flowers With Potential Health Benefits
Floral centerpieces on the dinner table are a classic and timeless tradition, but flowers can sometimes show up on your dinner plate, too.
Edible flowers are used in many different styles of cuisine and can be found on menus all over the world. Not all flowers are safe to eat, but those that are can offer a unique burst of flavor and color to many dishes, including salads, sauces, beverages and entrées. Some of them may even offer health benefits.
Here are 11 edible flowers with potential health benefits:
- Hibiscus - Hibiscus flowers are large, colorful blossoms that grow in warm climates. The flowers can be eaten raw but are often used to make herbal tea. Some research suggests that hibiscus may have a positive impact on cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Dandelion - Dandelions are considered weeds but double as a highly nutritious edible flower. The flowers — edible raw or cooked — can be used to make various foods like jelly and wine.
- Lavender - Lavender is a violet flower admired for its distinct aroma. It may be eaten fresh or dried and pairs well with a variety of ingredients, such as citrus, berries and savory herbs.
- Honeysuckle - Honeysuckle is a fragrant flower known for its distinct aroma, sweet flavor and traditional medicinal uses. It can be eaten straight from the plant or made into an infused syrup that can complement many dishes.
- Nasturtium - Nasturtium is a brightly colored flower known for its savory, peppery flavor. Its blossoms and leaves are nutritious and can be prepared in a variety of ways.
- Borage - Borage is an herb that produces small, blue, star-shaped flowers. Used in both traditional medicine and culinary practices, it makes for a beautiful garnish for salads or cocktails and can also be cooked into soups and sauces.
- Purslane - Purslane is a nutrient-rich succulent whose flowers and leaves may be eaten cooked or raw. It provides a wide array of vitamins and minerals — especially omega-3s.
- Rose - All varieties of roses are edible, but the ones with the sweetest fragrance are likely to have the most flavor. Rose petals can be used to infuse liquids with flavor or added to sugar or butter to boost your favorite recipes.
- Squash Blossom - The flowers that bloom on summer squash can be eaten raw, stuffed or fried. If you’re picking straight from a garden, stick to eating the male flowers so that the squash plants still grow.
- Pansy - Although commonly used for ornamental purposes, pansies make a colorful and nutritious addition to a variety of desserts and salads.
- Chamomile - Chamomile flowers are widely used medicinally to reduce anxiety and improve sleep. They have an earthy, slightly sweet flavor and may be used to make tea or other infusions.
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